Beer: Reviews & Ratings

More User Reviews:

Judged the best American-style wheat beer in the country at this year's GABF, BMBs Sandy Bottom is made with Pilsener, Vienna, and Wheat malts and balanced with Hallertau. 17 IBUs and 5.0% abv.

Appearance: Served with a lemon wedge, unfortunately, which pretty much quickly destroys what was initially one finger of light, foamy, offwhite head. Unfortunately, the acid renders it a thin though uniform surface dusting and a slightly thicker and denser collar. The body itself is a nice, thoroughly hazed gamboge, mostly masking what intense examination reveals to be minimal streams of quick but average-sized carbonation. The lacing has staying power similar to the head, mostly glittery and runny, though typical for the style.

Aroma: A soft, neutral, wheaty aroma. Spice character is very minimal, and only slightly weaker than the citrus character, which is mainly lemon-like, though flourishes of heavier citrus does peak through. A neutrally-fruity, green, pithy note also emerges with agitation.

Mouthfeel: Very soft, and relatively highly carbonated, or at least relatively explosive and bright, also likely due to the relative dryness of the body. Fits the flavor profile very well.

Drinkability: This beer more than any I've had in recent memory exposed my stylistic biases and put me at odds with the "reviewing to style" philosophy. This is a spot-on American Pale Wheat Ale ... it's slightly tart, slightly sweet, well carbonated, looks like an APWA, smells like an APWA, tastes like an APWA ... so I'm going to have to split the baby here. If anyone takes the time to read my reviews, however, I will stress that this beer is the best APWA I've ever had, and if you like this style of beer, you must seek this example out. No wonder if won GABF gold. Cheers. (2,071 characters)